Introduction

The first ten episodes were aired in Japan on the MBS and TBS TV channels between January 6, 2011 and March 10, 2011, and were also distributed online at NicoNicoDouga, AnimeOne, and Showtime. The last two episodes were delayed until April 21, 2011 due to the 2011 Touhoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

Madoka Magica became highly popular as it was airing, which prompted fans to give nicknames such as "Madocchi", "MaMaMa" (Mahou Madoka Magica), and "Madomagi". However, despite using the magical girl genre, due to the show's unusual violence, "Chidamari Sketch" is ironically the most appropriate nickname given by the fans for this show.

A theatrical release was recently confirmed. On November 25th, A secret project is announced for the series, which it is later revealed to be an online browser game project

Synopsis

Having a beloved family, good friends, laughter and tears - these things make up an ordinary life seen everywhere. Madoka Kaname, a second grade student of Mitakihara City Middle School, lives that very life just like everyone else.

One day, Madoka experienced a very mysterious encounter.
It is unbeknownst to her whether this encounter was just a mere coincidence, or an inevitable one.

It was an encounter that will change Madoka's fate forever.

An encounter that will be the start of a new magical girl story.

(Transcript taken from the official website)

Production History

Puella Magi Madoka Magica began development after Akiyuki Shinbo expressed his desire to work on a new magical girl series to producer Atsuhiro Iwakami while they were working on Hidamari Sketch and Bakemonogatari. During its early planning stage, Iwakami decided not to adapt an existing work in order to give Shinbo more freedom in his direction style. He then contacted Gen Urobuchi to work on the project as scriptwriter and Ume Aoki as character designer. Gekidan InuCurry, the animation team duo often working with Shaft has been assigned to design the witches and it's world setting.

The anime was announced in a commercial slot during the anime series Togainu no Chi. Since then, more commercials have been shown in the same slot revealing the characters and cast. During the pre-broadcast period, Madoka Magica managed to capture the audience's heart with its "cute magical girl anime" image, however this soon changed after episode 3 was aired, shocking most of its audience and starting the whole craze since then.

While maintaining its cute image throughout the anime after episode 3, the story gradually turned darker, creating a unique impression which is rarely seen in the magical girl genre. It is also the most frequently discussed anime in forums and chan boards, having discussion threads surpassing any winter season anime airing alongside Madoka Magica at that time.

Other Media

Houbunsha will be publishing three manga series based on the anime series.

A direct adaptation of Madoka Magica illustrated by Hanokage will be published in three volumes, each containing four chapters.

Puella Magi Kazumi Magica: The Innocent Malice (in Japanese: 魔法少女かずみ☆マギカ〜The innocent malice〜 Mahō Shōjo Kazumi Magika: The Innocent Malice), a side story mange written by Masaki Hiramatsu and illustrated by Takashi Tensugi began serialization in Manga Time Kirara Forward magazine from January 24, 2011, focusing on a different set of characters.

Puella Magi Oriko Magica (in Japanese: 魔法少女おりこ☆マギカ Mahō Shōjo Oriko Magika), a manga written by Kuroe Mura that serves as a second spin off from the anime series and was released in two tankōbon volumes, the first on May 12, 2011 and the second on June 12, 2011.

Witches

Witches are enemies of the Puella Magi which appear in the anime and are evil entities that resides in special areas called barriers that only Puella Magi and those with magical potential can enter. When left alone, Witches can affect humans in the real world by giving them marks known as 'Witch's Kisses' (in Japanese 魔女の口づけ Majo no Kuchizuke), which cause negative effects including accidents, diseases or commit suicide. Witches often spawn lesser, inferior versions of themselves called Familiars that can mature into new Witches if left alone. The most powerful Witch is called Walpurgisnacht (ワルプルギスの夜 Waruparugisu no Yoru). The worlds in which the Witches reside in their barriers are a stark departure from the normal world.

Each Witch is rooted in surrealism, and demonstrate themes and animation style reminiscent of the work of Jan Lenica.

Below is a list of Witches that appeared throughout the show. Another list with more information about the Witches can be seen here. However, it is interesting to note that each Witch's appearance is named in their specific rune language, which the fans named it Madoka Runes

Image Analysis

Given the fact that Madoka Magica's story is original and not adapted from any existing work, the actual main attraction was the unusual trio in the Magica Quatret group : Akiyuki Shinbo, Ume Aoki and Gen Urobuchi. Its theme is also an antithesis to the magical girl genre itself- a magical girl story that does not use the usual elements.

Death of a main character on the third episode, blood and violence shown in subsequent episodes

Story

A heartful story that captures the cute image of magical girls, has no serious consequences even if the story contain slight serious elements in it.

Story gets progressively darker and bloodier to the point there are elements of a dark side behind a magical girl's role.

Previously it was not known that Gen Urobuchi would be the scriptwriter for this anime. Hence to most fans, the initial image of the show was thought to be a camouflage for a dark-themed one. However, when the credit list began to leak out on the net, people started predicting that the show might not be what it was meant to be due to Gen Urobuchi being famous for his gruesome stories, particularly Song of Saya.

Interestingly, the popularity of the show also prompted the production staff to restrict information that are usually allowed to be published on anime magazines, making fans to create never ending speculations about the show itself.

Puella Magi Madoka Magika Theatrical Version

On November 8, 2011, the December issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Newtype magazine announced the launch of a theatrical film project for Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The announcement itself has created a huge reaction from both Japan and International fanbase.

At first, many fans suspected that it was a high level hoax, which prompted many to analyze the leaked front cover and asking HMV anime for confirmation. The staff responded that the magazine cover is actually Nanoha but later apologized for giving out the wrong information.

A second picture of the Newtype magazine cover is later posted to confirm the validity of the news.

According to that magazine, the movie will be divided into 3 sections: The first and second movies will be a retelling of the story, and the final movie will continue from the story's ending. The movie is officially announced to air at theaters on Oct 6 for the first movie (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Beginnings), and Oct 13 (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Eternal) for the second movie.

The title of the third movie "The Rebellion Story/Rebellion" will be an all new story written by Gen Urobuchi, schedule to be released on 2013.

Episode Titles

(List borrowed from Anime News Network - The translation is assumed official until the series is licensed in the USA)